Red Eyes

Eye Associates of Monmouth

John Ghobrial, MD

Board-Certified Ophthalmologist located in Colts Neck, NJ

Is it pink eye, dry eye, or an allergy? If you have a red eye, it’s hard to know what’s causing it unless you undergo a professional eye exam at Eye Associates of Monmouth, in Colts Neck, New Jersey. John Ghobrial, MD, is a highly trained ophthalmologist who specializes in diagnosing the cause of your red eye so you can receive the best treatment available. If you leave a red eye untreated, it could lead to vision loss, so it’s best to get it checked out as soon as possible. Call to schedule a comprehensive eye exam or book online.

Red Eyes Q & A

Why is my eye red?

Red eye is a condition in which the white part of your eye (the sclera) becomes red. Sometimes you can see squiggly lines, like veins, on the surface of your eye, making one or both eyes appear bloodshot. The redness comes from blood vessels that are dilated as a result of some type of irritation or infection.

The numerous causes of red eye include:

Allergies

Dry eyes

Glaucoma

Eye injury

Blepharitis (eyelid inflammation)

Pink eye (conjunctivitis)

A sty (bump) in your eye

Foreign object in your eye

Keratitis (inflammation)

Smoke and air pollution

Digital eye strain

Corneal ulcer

Alcohol consumption

Lack of sleep

Subconjunctival hemorrhage

In many cases, the redness goes away on its own, but if it doesn’t, or one eye appears severely red and veiny, it could be a sign of an underlying, serious eye condition. It’s a good idea to seek treatment as soon as possible, as some untreated eye diseases can lead to permanent vision loss.

When should I see a doctor for red eyes?

If redness accompanies sudden vision changes along with eye redness, or you have a severe headache or eye pain, seek emergency medical care. If, however, you have one red eye and symptoms spread to the other eye, it could be a sign of conjunctivitis, which is highly contagious. Additionally, if you have a red eye that doesn’t get better after a few days, or your eye continually feels irritated, it’s time to make an appointment with Dr. Ghobrial.

Dr. Ghobrial provides expert diagnosis and treatment for the underlying causes of red eye so you can get prompt relief from discomfort. And, if you need further evaluation and testing for more serious conditions such as glaucoma or dry eye syndrome, Dr. Ghobrial has many years of experience as an ophthalmologist treating these conditions as well.

Can I continue wearing my contacts if my eye is red?

It’s best to discontinue wearing contact lenses if you have a red eye that won’t go away. In many cases, wearing your contact makes your eye feel worse and become even more irritated. Sometimes your contact lens could be the cause of your red eye as well. Dr. Ghobrial recommends that you wear your glasses and bring your contacts with you to your eye exam so he can determine if your contact is a contributing factor to your red eyes.

Call to schedule an exam or book online to get treatment for your red eyes, today.